Use of biocompatible orthopaedic polymer for fracture treatment and reconstructive orthopaedic procedures

For many years attempts have been made to develop materials for use in the surgical treatment of fractures. So far only metal implants have been used. Soviet research has now succeeded in developing a copolymer of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone and methyl methacrylate reinforced by polyamide fibres and calcium gluconate which is reported to have comparable strength of metal implants but superior flexibility. It can be trimmed and shaped at the time of surgery, has no irritative reactions or release of toxic components, and above all is biocompatible. Clinical studies have been going on for 10 years in various Soviet medical centres and the total number of cases treated with the biocompatible polymer implants is well over 1000. In no case was a repeat operation necessary to remove the implant. Control X-rays (as well as animal data) showed that biodestruction of the implants is complete within 1.5 to 3 years depending on their sizes. The first operations outside the Soviet Union have been recently performed in Belgium. In the Soviet Union this material has also been used to treat pathologic fractures and in reconstructive surgical procedures such as leg lengthening.